Ottawa– Starting Sunday, March 9 until Sunday, March 16 there will be off-peak lane reductions on Highway 417 in both directions between Nicholas Street and the Highway 417/174 split and between Parkdale Avenue and Rochester Street. Hwy 174 westbound will also be subject to off-peak lane reductions between Montreal Road and Blair Road.
In addition to the lane reductions, Hwy 417 will be closed in both directions between Nicholas Street and the Vanier Parkway at 15-minute intervals between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. starting Monday, March 10 until Saturday, March 15. During these periods, Ontario Provincial Police will be on hand to direct traffic. However, motorists are urged to consider alternate routes.
In addition to the above lane reductions, the southbound Vanier Parkway on-ramp to Hwy 417 westbound will be closed nightly from Sunday, March 9 until Saturday, March 15.
Signage will be in place to advise drivers of these traffic and road changes. Motorists are also reminded to respect the reduced speed limits and use caution when travelling through construction zones. Many of these construction elements are weather-dependant and may be implemented later than the dates given.
This work is being done as part of the Highway 417 expansion project, which began in May 2013, and will add an additional lane in each direction between Nicholas Street and the Split. The additional lane will be used for bus rapid transit during the 2015 to 2018 phase of the Confederation Line construction.
With all of the construction-related activities underway, residents are encouraged to be flexible with commuting times, stagger work hours or use other alternative means for travel. The public is asked to consider options such as transit, walking, cycling or carpooling.
The City of Ottawa has tools on ottawa.ca to help motorists and transit users plan their routes and manage their commute including:
• OttawaNav– the City’s mobile application for real time construction and traffic information.
• City of Ottawa Traffic Report– outlining citywide road closures, traffic restrictions and detours
• Travel Planner at octranspo.com – transit users can chart and plan routes
• Interactive traffic map– showing construction areas and live traffic cams throughout the city
• Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) cameras along Highway 417
• Cycling maps and information – detailing bicycle pathways and lanes throughout the city
Further details and other information concerning City road works are available on ottawa.ca.
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